Liquid dispenser



1943. A. L. BoBRlcK LIQUID DISPENSER F eb'. 23

Filed Aug. 1e, 194e INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 23, 1943 zueza UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE LIQUIDDISPENSER Arthur L. Bobrick, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 16, 1940, Serial No. 352,922

14 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid dispensers andthe principal objects areto provide a dispensing mechanism in which, for instance:

A liquid soap, antiseptic, or other solution is supported either aboveor below the level of the dispensing means and is forced by manuallycreated pressure to and from the dispensing means instead of flowing bygravity as in other commercial types of dispensers;

A restricted pressure area is provided for maintaining a constant anduniform volume of liquid for delivery at each operation of thedispenser;

The dispensing mechanism is free from washers, gaskets and other sealingmeans which require adjustment and occasional replacement due to thedeleterious action of alkali and oils, and is provided with means inlieu of such devices for draining surplus liquid back into the liquidreceptacle;

The entire dispenser assembly is thoroughly scavenged after shortperiods of inoperation and leaves no liquid in or around the workingparts which will tend to clog or impair the operation of the dispenser;

The manually operated member of the dispenser is so arranged as toeliminate accuracy and exercise of undue care in assembling thedispenser for use; and

Means is provided for optional hand or foot operation of the dispenser,or both of such means of operation.

Other and more detailed objects of my invention may appear as thedescription progresses.

I have shown a perfected embodiment of my invention subject tomodification within the scope of the appended claims without departingfrom the spirit thereof, the accompanying drawing.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved dispenser adapted forhand or foot operation selectively;

Figure 2 is a transverse section of the same on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse section of line 3-3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a transverse section of the same, line 4-4 of Figure l.

Brieiiy described, my improved dispenser is adapted to be supported on awall or other suitable support at a convenient distance above the levelof the floor and includes a suitable receptacle A, preferably of glass,so as to render the liquid therein visible, and mounted either above orbelow the dispensing plane, but preferably below as shown in thedrawing. Said receptacle, in the form herein shown, has a restrictedneck I at its top which is externally threaded so as to detachablyengage lan internally threaded collar 2 depending from a unitary head B.

Head B has a bracket 3 which is attachable at its end 4 to a suitablesupporting wall or other member, as at C, by means of screws 5, orotherwise, for rigidly holding the dispenser in position for use.Usually a gasket 6 is provided between the top of the receptacle A and ashoulder I of the head so as to allow more or less latitude in attachingthe receptacle to the head, but not necessarily for the purpose ofsealing the joint between the receptacle and head.

Head B has a central chamber 8 which is in constant communication withthe interior of receptacle A by means of a central opening 9 formedinwardly of should-er l. Said chamber is closed at its rear extremity bymeans of a partition I0 and has an opening I I at its forward end formedin a tubular extension I2.

The dispensing mechanism D includes an elongated barrel I3 which issupported in the partition II) of the head and also may be supportedadditionally in the end 4 as by means of a countersunk flat head screwI4 threaded into the rear end of the barrel, as shown, and the forwardportion of said barrel extends substantially forwardly of said partitionbut is spaced rearwardly from the inner extremity of opening I I.

A hand operated plunger is associated with the barrel I3 and may be ofunitary or sectional form but, as shown, consists of two cooperatingmembers I5 and I6, the member I5 being slidable in the barrel and theadjacent ends of said members being in abutting engagement. Acompression spring I'I is held in the barrel between the inner end ofscrew I4 and the rear end of member I5 and tends to constantly urge theplunger mem; bers I5 and IB outwardly to normal positions of rest but iscompressible when pressure'is applied to the member I6, for the purposehereinafter described. The sectional form of plunger is desirable inorder to eliminate excess accuracy in alining the plunger bearings, theouter end of member I5 being rounded, as at I8, and the adjacent end ofmember I6 being slightly cupped to form a seat for the end I8. Thus,regardless of any slight misalinement of the members I5 and I6,operation of the dispenser will not be impaired or prevented. However,when the plunger bearings are accurately alined, a single piece plungermay obviously be used in lieu of the sectional form.

By reference to the drawing it will be noted that the barrel I3 has apressure chamber I9 intermediate the rear end thereof and the rear endof plunger member I5, in which chamber the spring |'I is held. Saidbarrel is provided with two depending tubes and 2| of small andsubstantially the same sized bores 22 and 23, respectively. The upperends of said tubes are suitably attached to barrel I3 so that theirbores will communicate with the interior of said barrel, the bore 22being constantly in communication with the chamber |9 at a pointrearwardly of member |5 while bore 23 of tube 2| is open to the interiorof the barrel at the periphery cf plunger I5.

Said tubes 2) and 2| extend downwardly into receptacle A and areconnected with a submerged valve body 24 having a chamber 25 inVcommuni-- cation with the lower ends of both of said tubes and also tothe receptacle by means of a port 26 the opening and closing of whichrelative to the liquid in the receptacle is controlledV by a. ball checkvalve 21.. Thelower endof tube'2l Vis extended slightly into chamber Vso as to provide a means for preventing theelevation of ball valve 2-'|to a point suficient to. close passage 2-2 in tube 20.. The plungers I5and I6 are provided with longitudinally alined and constantlycommunicating passages 28 and-29A and passage 28 is open to aperipheral' channel 28' on plunger I5 by means of a' transverse port 38,while the outer end of passage 29 is open to the atmosphere `through a`dispensing spout 3| carried by member I6.

The member I6 is held against rotation in its support by means of a setscrew 32 which forms a key andl engages a channel 34, formed on theperiphery of member I6. At the outer end of andv around the barrel I3, Iprovide in the extension I2 of head B a chamber 36which isopen tochamber 8 and also to the interior of the receptacle A so that anyliquidwhich may leak Yfrom barrel I3 around plunger I5 will be exhausted fromthe end of the barrel into said chamber 36 and. will drain by. gravityback into the receptacle, 11o-pressure being created or present inchamber 36 tending to force any of the liquid outwardly throughextension I2 around the-plunger I6.

For the purpose of adapting my dispenser to operationA byfoot pressure,I may employ a diaphragrn` pump as at C which is adapted to be mountedin a convenient position on theY door beneaththe dispenser and includesa base 4I) and av removable top 4| suitably held together and providingan. internal compartment whichis subdivided by a diaphragm 42 held.between the members 4|). and 4| at itsv margins and spring urgedy to. anormal position by means of. a compression` spring 43; Said diaphragm isdepressed as by means of a plunger 44Y slidably supported in thetopfmember. 4| so as to create pressure when depressed by the foot of anoperator in a chamber 45, Pressure thus created is transferred fromchamber 45 to barrel I3 by means of a flexible tubular connection 46connecting an outlet 41 from chamber 45 with the pressure chamber I9of,` barrel I3;

Thus, when pressure is Vcreated in chamber I9 of the barrrel, either bythe inward movement of plungers I5 and I6 by hand pressure, or bydepression or plunger 44 by foot pressure, the pressure in chamber I9 iscommunicated to the bore 22 of tube 2|,thus serving to close check valve21 and forcing a measured quantity of liquid which is resident in thechamber 25 of valve body 24, upwardly through and from the bore 23 ofthe tube 2|, and thence through passages 28', 3U and 28 of plunger |5and passages 29 and outlet 3| of plunger I6 at each dispensingoperation.

Any liquid which may be expelled from barrel I3 around plunger I5 willbe exhausted into chamber 36 of the head B and will drain by gravitytherefrom into the receptacle. Upon release of the plunger I6, or 44, asthe case may be, and a consequent absence of pressure in chamber I9 ofthe barrel, as well as in tubes 20 and 2|, the liquid then in saidbarrel and tubes will seek its own level and gradually lower its levelto correspond to the level cf the liquid in the receptacle, except thatwith respect to tube 2|, given a suilicient period of time betweensuccessive operations, the tube 2| will be substantially void of liquidin all but the extreme lower portion thereof.

Thus, it may be noted, uponthe lowering of the level of the. liquid intubes.28 and' 2|; particularly the latter, a partial vacuum is createdin saidtube 2| which,.together with-gravitational force, tends to inducea ow of any liquid'. remaining in barrel I3 and in and` around theplunger I5 downwardly into tube-2|, Vthus scavenging the operating partsof` the dispensing mechanism after a short interval of time. ioll'owingeach operation and leaving them free and clear ofv liquid which tendafter a. time, to congeal and impair the operation of the Vdispenser.

Thus, the formA of dispenser shown will prevent. an accumulation ofliquid in and around the operating plunger andv also eliminate theforcible expulsion of liquid around the plunger, which frequently occursin dispensers` when no means is provided for scavenging the mechanism.

The elimination of washers in connection with the plungers, whichusually swell and become impaired due to the action of alkali andcertain oils thereon, removes the necessity for frequent servicing andreplacements.

I have shown in the drawing, though it is not at all times necessary, anannular packing 33 around the plunger I6, but in lieu of said pack:-ing, a bushing or other expedient mayY be employed when necessary.

What I claim as new is:

1. A liquid dispenser comprisingz' a body'f'orming a support, a liquidreceptacle detachably held on said body, and a dispensing mechanismcarriedby said body and including'a barrelhaving a pressure chambertherein, a plunger: slidable in said barrel for creating pressure. insaid chamber, a valve submerged in;thie11iquid of said receptacle andhaving separate spaced connections. with said barrel, and. meansembodied in said plunger and cooperating with said? spaced connection.for forcing a volume: off liquid outwardly through said plunger whenvthe same is moved in a direction to create pressure and eiective upon areverse movement offv said` plunger for evacuating said barrel, plungerand connections of liquid remaining therein after each operation.

2. A liquid dispenser comprising: a body, a liquid receptacle carriedthereby, and dispensing mechanism carried by said body including a.pressure chamber externally of said receptacle, a manually operablemember for creating pressure in said chamber, a valve submerged in theliquid of said receptacle, and cooperating means connecting said valvewith said chamber and with a delivery outlet in said operating member,

for dispensing quantities of liquid at each operation of the dispenser.

3. A liquid dispenser comprising: a body, an associated liquidreceptacle, a pressure chamber in said body externally of saidreceptacle, an operating member associated with said chamber forcreating pressure therein when said member is moved in a givendirection, means including a valve depending from said chamber into theliquid of said receptacle, a dispensing outlet being connected with saidValve and controlled by said operating member and effective fordispensing a quantity of liquid at each such movement of said operatingmember and for evacuating the dispensing means of liquid upon a reversemovement of said operating member.

4. A liquid dispenser comprising: a body, a liquid receptacle carriedthereby, and a dispensing mechanism carried by said body including apressure chamber externally of said receptacle, a. manually operablemember for creating pressure in said chamber, a valve submerged in theliquid of said receptacle, and cooperating means connecting said valvewith said chamber and with a delivery outlet in said operating member,for dispensing quantities of liquid at each operation of the dispenser,and means for restoring said operating member to normal position at thecompletion of each operation thereof.

5. A liquid dispenser comprising: a body, an associated receptacle forliquid, a cylinder in said body having a pressure chamber, a manuallyoperated member operable relative to and for creating pressure in saidchamber, a check valve submerged in the liquid of said receptacle, apair of tubular connections between said cylinder and said check valve,said operating member embodying means for dispensing the liquidtherefrom, said operating member being effective on a pressure creatingmovement to dispense the liquid therefrom and on a reverse movement foreilecting an evacuation of liquid from said connections.

6. A liquid dispenser comprising: a body, an associated receptacle forliquid, a cylinder in said body having a pressure chamber, a manuallyoperated member operable relative to and for creating pressure in saidcham-ber, a check valve submerged in the liquid of said receptacle, apair of tubular connections between said cylinder and said check valve,said operating member embodying means effective on a pressure creatingmovement to dispense the liquid therefrom and on a reverse movement foreiTecting an evacuation of liquid from said connections, and a chamberformed in said body adjacent said cylinder and for receiving surplusliquid from said cylinder.

7. A liquid dispenser comprising: a body, a liquid receptacle carriedthereby, and a dispensing mechanism carried by said body including apressure chamber, a manually operable member for creating pressure insaid chamber, a valve submerged in the liquid of said receptacle, andcooperating means connecting said valve with said chamber and with adelivery outlet in said operating member, for dispensing quantities ofliquid at each operation of the dispenser, and cooperating means in saidchamber and said operating member and their connections for scavengingthe mechanism of liquid resident therein at the completion of eachoperation.

8. A liquid dispenser comprising: a body, an associated liquidreceptacle, a cylinder in said body having a pressure chamber, a handoperated member slidable in said cylinder provided with outlet means, afoot operated member, ya pressure chamber associated therewith and incommunication with the pressure chamber of said cylinder, a check valvesubmerged in the liquid of said receptacle and having separateconnections with the pressure chamber of said cylinder and With saidoutlet mea-ns, whereby upon the operation of said hand or foot operatedmeans a quantity of liquid will be dispensed.

9. A liquid dispenser comprising: a body attachable to a `wall or thelike, a liquid receptacle supported on said body below the dispensingplane, and a dispensing mechanism on said body and including la cylinderhaving a pressure chamber therein, a lplunger slidable in said cylinderand embodying outlet means for the liquid to be dispensed, a check valvesubmerged in the liquid of said receptacle, a pressure tube connectingsaid pressure chamber with said valve, a delivery tube connecting saidvalve with. said outlet means, for dispensing quantities of liquidthrough and from said plunger at each pressure stroke thereof; and meansfor urging said plunger to normal outward position for inducing a ow ofsurplus liquid from said cylinder and said plunger on each reversestroke of said plunger.

10. A liquid dispenser comprising: la body, a liquid receptaclesupported thereon below the dispensing plane, and a dispensing mechanismincluding a cylinder having a pressure chamber, a plunger slidable insaid cylinder and having a delivery passage, `an operating memberslida-ble in said body abutting the adjacent end of said plunger andhaving outlet means forming a continuation of the passage in saidplunger, a check valve submerged in the liquid of said receptacle, andmeans connecting said pressure chamber with said valve, separate meansfor connecting the pressure chamber with said plunger with said valve,for dispensing quantities of liquid at each operation of said plunger.

11. A liquid dispenser comprising: a body, a liquid receptacle supportedthereon below the dispensing plane, and dispensing means including acylinder having a pressure chamber, a manually operated member slidablein said cylinder and having outlet means therein for the liquid to bedispensed, a valve body submerged in the liquid of said receptacle andhaving a delivery chamber separately connected with said pressurechamber yand. with the outlet means of said operating member, and acheck valve in said valve body below said connections With said pressurechamber `and said operating member.

l2. A liquid dispenser comprising: a body, a liquid receptacle supportedthereon below the dispensing plane, and dispensing means including acylinder having a pressure chamber, a manually operated member slidablein said cylinder and having outlet means therein for the liquid to bedispensed, a valve body submerged in the liquid of said receptacle andhaving a delivery chamber separately connected with said pressurechamber and with the outlet means of said operating member, and a checkvalve in said Valve body below said connections with said pressurechamber and said operating member for controlling the dispensing ofquantities of liquid at each operation of the dispenser, and means insaid cylinder for restoring said plunger to normal position at thecompletion of each dispensing operation.

